The Proper Pattern For Kingdom Living

Michael Turner

Together: A Study through Philippians • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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Jesus Christ made the laws of heaven’s kingdom, and it is intended, even demanded, that the Church, our church live by the laws of heaven. What you could call Kingdom Living on Earth.

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Before I became school age, my grandmother, mom and aunt used to make a lot of my clothes and my cousins clothes. There was a locally owned place they would go into once or twice a month called Roses department store. In that store was a couple of big tables, and on those tables were patterns. If they wanted to make a shirt then they would purchase a set of shirt patterns, take them home, open the package up and take out thin sheets of paper with lines and dashes on it. They would place the different patterns on to the bought fabric, cut out the fabric to match the patterns, and then they would begin sewing the pieces all together resulting in a completed shirt.

Before I became school age, my grandmother, mom and aunt used to make a lot of my clothes and my cousins clothes. There was a locally owned they would go into once or twice a month called Roses department store. In that store was a couple of big tables, and on those tables were patterns. If they wanted to make a shirt then they would purchase a shirt pattern, open the package up and take out a thin sheets of paper with lines and dashes on it, all in the shape of the various parts that make up a shirt. They would place the different pieces on to the bought fabric, cut out the fabric to match the pattern, and then they would begin sewing. If the pattern was a shirt, the result should have been a shirt. If the result was anything but, then something was wrong either with the pattern or the one following the pattern.

In our text for today, Paul begins this section by “Join in imitating me.” - CSB or “join in following my example.” - NASB. The KJV saying “be followers together of me...” so to result in a completed Christian and completed church, we have to follow the same pattern come and be sewn together.

LET’S OPEN GOD’S HOLY WORD TO

STAND WITH ME TO READ TOGETHER WHAT ELSE PAUL SAYS ABOUT THE PROPER PATTERN FOR KINGDOM LIVING.

Philippians 3:17–4:1 CSB

17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself. 1 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

PRAYER

v.20 - Our citizenship is in heaven (emphasis on heaven).

What an optimistic and opportunistic verse for anyone who has Christ as their savior.

I overheard someone this week lamenting this year 2017, saying how dreadful and unpleasant it will be when the news does the annual year in review. All the disasters of nature that caused such destruction and all the sins of mankind that caused such sadness.

As wretched as things have been, this is the worst it can get.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians Principles

“This life in light of eternity will be nothing more than a bad night in a cheap hotel” (Mother Teresa).

The enemy may destroy our body and devastated our earthly life, but praise God and King of heaven, satan will never take away our eternal life. One commentator notes that the only satisfactory sense of Paul’s words here must be a translation as “a capital or native city, which keeps the citizens on its registers.” If your name is written down in the Lamb’s book of eternal life by the blood of Jesus Christ then it ain’t washing out or being erased out.

The enemy may destroy our body and devastated our earthly life, but praise God and King of heaven, satan will never take away our eternal life.

Luke 10:20 CSB

20 However, don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

One commentator notes that the only satisfactory sense of Paul’s words here must be a translation as “a capital or native city, which keeps the citizens on its registers.” If your name is written down in the Lamb’s book of eternal life by the blood of Jesus Christ then it ain’t washing out or being erased out.

v.20 - Our politeuma is in heaven - Does that word sound familiar? We get our word politics from this Greek word translated as Citizenship. Philippi was a Roman colony in the Macedonian region of Greece. Rome had a ruler. That Ruler was Caesar the Emperor. Caesar made the laws of Rome and the Philippians operated by the laws of Rome even though they lived in Macedonia.

v.20 - Our politeuma is in heaven - Does that word sound familiar? We get our word politics from this Greek word translated as Citizenship. Philippi was a Roman colony in the Macedonian region of Greece. Rome had a ruler. That Ruler was Caesar the Emperor. Caesar made the laws of Rome and the Philippians lived by the laws of Rome even though they lived in Macedonia.

Each local church is a colony of the Kingdom of heaven even though we live on earth. Heaven has a ruler. Paul reminds us at the end of v.20 heaven’s ruler is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ made the laws of heaven’s kingdom, and it is intended, even demanded, that the Church, our church live by the laws of heaven. What you could call Kingdom Living on Earth.

Pastor Friend of mine said a few months ago, “Many Christians in America have a political theology instead of having a theology that guides their politics.”

Here is where I have often sinned and have to be careful. I should always care more about studying the good news than watching Fox News. A Christian should always be more willing to tell others about their savior than to defend a statue. The only time USA was a Christian nation was when it was a nation of Christians. The Country can’t turn back to God, but Christians in this country can repent and turn back. God does something through those that come to Him in humility.

Paul uses contrasting imagery here in the text to set before us the pattern of behavior for living as citizens of heaven.

Paul uses contrasting imagery here in the text to set before us a the pattern of behavior for living as citizens of heaven.

There was tremendous public resistance to the introduction of the Susan B. Anthony dollar. This small coin was designed primarily to be a durable and lightweight alternative to the paper dollar. But its size created problems, for it could easily be confused with a quarter. Legally it was worth a dollar, but practically speaking, many people considered it a nuisance because of its indistinguishable size.

The same thing happens when the unbelieving world hears the words of a Christian who cannot be distinguished from the lost society in which he lives. This discounts his claims concerning Christ. It is not a matter of real worth—that is decided by faith—but rather of perceived worth.

Here in Paul’s pattern there is no mistaking which is which.

Throughout the letter, but especially here in , Paul urges the Philippians to follow his pattern.

Kingdom living is founded upon the cross and Christ

Kingdom living is forwarded by Christians through the power of Christ

Kingdom living is fixed upon the 2nd coming of Christ

Throughout the letter, but especially here in , Paul urges the Philippians to follow his pattern. To some that may sound egotistical or vainly prideful for a pastor to say, but truthfully, isn’t that what every pastor should say? He should say it because it would mean he has the same passionate pursuit of Christ that Paul had.

**The Greek word translated here in v.17 as “join in” means literally to become. Become what? “Join in imitating me” - so become a fellow imitator or one who is copying the actions of the same person as another.

Become what? “Join in imitating me” - so become a fellow imitator or one who is copying the actions of the same person as another.

1 Corinthians 11:1 CSB

1 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

Paul had good reason to say hey, “Do what I say do” because what he was telling them to do, he already did in following Jesus.”

In v.17 - He also points back to people such as Timothy, Epaphroditus, Luke and Silas - ones that were also “walking” as Jesus walked. Lydia, the slave girl, the jailer and his family. These people learned from Paul, Paul learned from Jesus, so the other members could learn from them all.

What does this teach us

How do you make this practical living for your life, because obviously Paul nor these others are around.

Look for current Heavenly Patriots. 2 places to find this proper pattern: 1) Godly Christian leaders in church and in the larger body of Christ. 2) Godly Christian laypeople in church and in the larger body of Christ.

Heavenly Patriots

What is the pattern they present:

They diligently and correctly study the Bible so they can imitate Christ better and better. (look back at ) - knowing Christ is priceless

They have rejected the self-righteousness and man made traditions

They have laid themselves on the cross to die to self and to live in fellowship with and obedience to following Jesus daily with that cross

They fight against their own apathy and complacency running the race and reaching for the prize

They place the needs and concerns of others before their own. and

Galatians 6:2 CSB

2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

They serve and follow without grumbling or complaining -

They speak encouraging words to one another building each other up and showing honor and love. -

They pour out their lives for the cause and defense of the gospel - and through preaching and teaching sound doctrine

2 Timothy 2:2 CSB

2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:

Titus 2:1–2 NASB95

1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

Titus 2:1-

Titus 2:1 ESV

1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

These men and women intentionally find others to mentor and lead while they follow others - passing on values, virtues, passions and principles they receive consistent with scripture -

They act as one taken hold of by Jesus Christ, living constantly in wonder of God’s amazing Grace upon them.

v.17 - He says to to put them under the microscope, to zoom in and and pay very close attention to these people as examples to follow.

The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.

That is only have of the instruction to us here: The other half is that as we live on earth we need to live so as to pass the close up test.

—Thomas Morell, classical scholar and librettist (1703–84)

[1] Larson, C. B., & Ten Elshof, P. (2008). 1001 illustrations that connect (p. 101). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

v.17 - He says to to put them under the microscope, to zoom in and and pay very close attention to these people as examples to follow.

There are a lot of good things we can do for others in the church and the community, but the best things we can do is be a living example of Jesus.

v.18 - These enemies of the cross - If the people I previously described were heavenly patriots then these enemies of the cross are heavenly pretenders. If our journey of following Christ leads to heaven, then their journey of following self and satan leads to hell.

Heavenly Pretenders

Paul shows again his pastor’s heart in v.18 - he grieves over these he calls “enemies of the cross.” He does so because he is aware of the consequences of

These enemies of the cross - not same as the people described in - who were true Christians serving with sinful motives, nor were they ones who outright rejected Jesus. If the people I previously described were heavenly patriots then these enemies of the cross are heavenly pretenders. If our journey of following Christ leads to heaven, then their journey of following self and satan leads to hell.

The pattern they present is clear in v. 19 - serving self, showing off in shameful and sinful actions and seeking earthly pleasures instead of kingdom treasures.

One who has professed a faith in Christ but in reality is only putting on a show as leaders and laypeople in the church.

One who speaks the name of Christ but does not follow bearing the cross of Christ because it would cost them something - mainly giving up pleasing self. (Social media and ballgames come before serious Bible Study. Cable News and Reality TV take precedence over compassionate mission to the real world.)

One who does not boast about the amazing grace of Christ.

One whose morals does not match their message.

The bumper sticker on their heart reads: “If it feels good, do it.”

Paul gives this contrast as a warning that even though we live with them, we must not become like or imitate them.

Seeking after material things much more than kingdom things.

Paul gives this contrast as a warning that even though we live with them, we must not become like or imitate them.

Maybe you have heard the story of the chicken farmer who found the lost eagle egg. He took it home and placed it to hatch with the chicken eggs. Soon the eagle was born and found a good comfortable home with the chickens on the farm.

One day as he was pecking around for food on the farm, a big shadow overtook him. He lifted his gaze and was mesmerized by the sight of a beautiful eagle cruising the sky. Unlike other chicken that he saw trying to fly, this eagle didn’t seem to be making much effort. Wow look at that!! What is it?

The chickens clicked back that’s an eagle, the king of the sky, but you and we belong down here on earth.

The old eagle came back being stunned by an eagle pecking around with chickens, and landed in front of the chicken imitating eagle.

“What are you doing?”, asked the old eagle.

“What do you mean?”, answered the young one.

“What are you doing running around with chicken?”.“

I am a chicken. These are my brothers and sisters. I grew up with them.”

“No you’re not. You’re an eagle. You belong in the sky, not on the ground.”

“No I am not. I am one of them. All I know is to do as they do, and to eat what they eat. I can’t even fly.”

“You can’t because you never tried. But you’re an eagle, just like me”.

“Even if what you say is true, I’ve lived all my life as a chicken. I am not an eagle anymore”.”

“It’s the heart of an eagle that matters, not the way he lived or ate… Come with me”

A moment later, the arrived at the cliff he used to visit sometimes with his friends. They stood next to each other on the edge looking at the mountains in the distance. Without a second of hesitation, the old eagle jumped off the edge, spread his wings and soared upward.

The young eagle looked down the cliff and trembled. He’d never flown before. May be he would die. May be he should go back.

“Don’t look down.”, the old eagle said “Look up at the sky. Aim toward the sun. Give it a bit of faith.”

Conclusion: For every religion of the world, the pattern for living is found on pages, but for Christian living the pattern is found in a person.

Sometimes Christians just have to be reminded that they are eagles and that they need to quit living like chickens. They have to be reminded to look up at the sky and have faith that Jesus is going to transform them in their faith and by their faith to be a pattern for kingdom living.

For every religion of the world, the pattern for living is found on pages, but for Christian living the pattern is found in a person.

- You are a crown of the King.